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Falling for Autumn
The Bodyguard's Fall
Her stalker is getting closer. So is her bodyguard.
I know how to write murder mysteries.
Dead bodies? Great. Blood and gore? Even better.
Romance? Absolutely not.
Unfortunately for me, my production company disagrees. After years of writing cozy crime dramas, I’m suddenly being forced to write a flannel and cider romantic screenplay filled with pumpkin patches, maple festivals, and happily-ever-afters I don’t actually believe in.
Especially not after months of terrifying messages from a stalker who seems to know way too much about me.
Which is how I end up back in my hometown of Autumn Ridge, under the protection of Tate Walker—my older brother’s best friend, a cop, and the same overprotective pain in my neck who spent most of my teenage years telling me what I could and couldn’t do.
Tate is temporarily off-duty and back home recovering from a dangerous undercover operation that left him injured and drowning in guilt. And somehow protecting me has become his newest assignment.
Now I’m living on his family’s hay farm while police attempt to catch my stalker. Between boxing lessons, tractor rides, and cozy autumn outings that feel suspiciously like dates, I start finding inspiration for my romantic screenplay in the one place I never expected:
My bodyguard.
But as the threats escalate and my stalker gets closer, so do Tate and I. And falling for the man assigned to protect me might be the most dangerous plot twist of all.
I know how to write murder mysteries.
Dead bodies? Great. Blood and gore? Even better.
Romance? Absolutely not.
Unfortunately for me, my production company disagrees. After years of writing cozy crime dramas, I’m suddenly being forced to write a flannel and cider romantic screenplay filled with pumpkin patches, maple festivals, and happily-ever-afters I don’t actually believe in.
Especially not after months of terrifying messages from a stalker who seems to know way too much about me.
Which is how I end up back in my hometown of Autumn Ridge, under the protection of Tate Walker—my older brother’s best friend, a cop, and the same overprotective pain in my neck who spent most of my teenage years telling me what I could and couldn’t do.
Tate is temporarily off-duty and back home recovering from a dangerous undercover operation that left him injured and drowning in guilt. And somehow protecting me has become his newest assignment.
Now I’m living on his family’s hay farm while police attempt to catch my stalker. Between boxing lessons, tractor rides, and cozy autumn outings that feel suspiciously like dates, I start finding inspiration for my romantic screenplay in the one place I never expected:
My bodyguard.
But as the threats escalate and my stalker gets closer, so do Tate and I. And falling for the man assigned to protect me might be the most dangerous plot twist of all.
354 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 12, 2026
About the author
Cindy Steel
10 books2,122 followersCindy Steel was raised on a dairy farm in Idaho. She grew up singing Garth Brooks and Reba McEntire songs at the top of her lungs and learning to solve all of life’s problems while milking cows and driving tractors—rewriting happy endings every time. She met and married a handsome Idaho boy and is the proud mother of two wild and sweet twin boys. Which means she is also now a collector of bugs, sticks, rocks, and slobbery kisses. She loves making breakfast, baking, photography, reading a good book, and staying up way past her bedtime to craft stories that will hopefully make you smile.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 98 reviews
August 14, 2026
Easiest five stars of my life.
Cindy Steel is one of the only auto buy author I have.
Every. Single. One. Of her books become an immediate new favorite. I haven’t blushed, giggled, and laughed out loud more than when I am reading one of her books.
And while they are fun, fluffy reads, Cindy Steel’s book still have so much depth for being a romantic comedy as well. While this was full of swoon worthy and laugh out loud scenes, it also had plot. You’d never guess by the covers (which are also adorable).
Tate and Liv are SO CUTE. I literally LOVE every single one of her mfcs, which is so rare for me. And we won’t even dive into how utterly impeccable her mmc are. I will die on the hill that they are the swooniest book boyfriends in every sense of the words.
Here are some troupes to convince you to add this to your tbr ASAP: he’s her bodyguard, disabled cop mmc, screen writer fmc, fake dating, marriage of convenience, only one bed, he teaches her how to fight, small town setting—aka top tier, new favorite book, and a most definite reread.
(Clean adult romance).
Cindy Steel is one of the only auto buy author I have.
Every. Single. One. Of her books become an immediate new favorite. I haven’t blushed, giggled, and laughed out loud more than when I am reading one of her books.
And while they are fun, fluffy reads, Cindy Steel’s book still have so much depth for being a romantic comedy as well. While this was full of swoon worthy and laugh out loud scenes, it also had plot. You’d never guess by the covers (which are also adorable).
Tate and Liv are SO CUTE. I literally LOVE every single one of her mfcs, which is so rare for me. And we won’t even dive into how utterly impeccable her mmc are. I will die on the hill that they are the swooniest book boyfriends in every sense of the words.
Here are some troupes to convince you to add this to your tbr ASAP: he’s her bodyguard, disabled cop mmc, screen writer fmc, fake dating, marriage of convenience, only one bed, he teaches her how to fight, small town setting—aka top tier, new favorite book, and a most definite reread.
(Clean adult romance).
August 13, 2026
I will seriously read anything Cindy Steel writes. This had some of my favorite tropes: bodyguard, brother's best friend, fake dating, moc. And all in a fall setting, cue the swoons.
August 14, 2026
4.75 ⭐️ I really loved this one! I wish it was a little bit more suspenseful, but overall I’m a sucker for the “Who did this to you?/He takes care of her” trope.
August 13, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
GENRE
-romantic suspense
CONTENT
-🤬: mild language (1 a, 1 d, 7 h)
-❤️: make outs
-⚠️: stalker situation, recollection of a shooting
What a lovely welcome to the town of Autumn Ridge, Vermont!
The Bodyguard's Fall follows Tate and Liv. Liv has been harassed by a stalker for months now, so she is sent to Autumn Ridge to stay with the Walker family . . . and be watched 24/7 by Tate, a cop who is on leave after an injury and who just so happens to be Liv's older brother's best friend. The stalker situation definitely lent itself to some fantastic forced proximity, and we even got a one-bed moment thrown in there. Cindy also had some delightful surprises in this book, which you'll have to find out when you read.
Cindy did a really great job at making it suspenseful but not scary, if that makes sense. Like, I didn't feel like I needed my husband to be around while I was reading because I was so freaked out, but I definitely felt anticipation building throughout the story.
Some things I loved included:
-the text messages between Tate and Will
-the Walker family dynamic, warmth, and protectiveness
-self-defense lessons
-"you're NOT my sister"
-Tate inviting Liv's friends over to visit her
-the nightlight in her room
-scheming brothers (& moms!)
-the [REDACTED] line
-Tate cleaning up the cake
-Liv getting her moment to shine + a moment to watch her man in action
It is single POV, which this author does well, but I do wish that we had gotten some more insight into when Tate started having feelings for Liv. We knew how Liv had found him attractive for years and that it took her months to stop thinking about their interaction at Will's wedding, but we don't really know when Tate started having feelings for her.
Also, it needed more editing / polishing. In the acknowledgments a copyeditor & proofreader are mentioned, but there were a number of things like issues with dialogue tags and action beats, en dashes being used instead of em dashes (but not consistently, sometimes they were really em dashes), and the verb tense sometimes changing. I was pulled out of the story because of these more than once (I swear I tried to turn my editing brain off).
This really was a delightful introduction; I'm so looking forward to the other stories in the series!
Favorite Quotes:
-Was it too much to ask for a potbelly and a balding head? Unfortunately, he was still extremely attractive—if a girl enjoyed the tall, mouthy, stoic type. Which I did not.
-When he was satisfied that I was paying attention, he said, “You’re not a burden, Rawlins. A pain in the butt? Absolutely. But never a burden.”
-Tate began looking around, confusion etched on his face. “What?” I asked in mild alarm. “I’m just checking my surroundings. This seems like the kind of place a guy might get taken advantage of when he’s out here all alone with a romance screenwriter.”
-“Let's get a few things straight, Rawlins. This is a job. Which means I will prioritize your safety over everything else.” My breath caught while his gaze held mine. “But you are absolutely not my sister.”
-“Why don’t you want to take me to Make-Out Ridge?” I teased, trying to bring us back. “Isn’t it good for our cover?” He gave me a look. “You couldn’t handle the ridge with me. Do you want to go?” “To Make-Out Ridge? Sure,” I supplied with a smile. “Rawlins. I’ve noticed you getting a little more feisty lately, which I like, but you need to start thinking about something else besides how sexy I am all the time.”
-“There’s always going to be something that scares you. The trick is figuring out what’s worth being brave for.”
-“This line makes it so we can both go back to our lives when this is all over. This line keeps us focused. This line keeps me focused. Cross it at your own risk.” ... “I’ll cross that line if I feel like it,” I taunted. ... “Cross it at your own risk. But fair warning…I get attached easily.”
-“Are you decent?” I asked. “Rarely,” came his flirtatious reply.
-It’s funny how fear works. But the moment you face it, you realize you were always bigger than it was.
-“I thought you barely tolerated me.” My hands wound their way around his neck, enjoying the feel of his body against mine. He wrinkled his nose playfully. “It’s even worse than that.” “What could be worse?” He brought his face close to mine and whispered, “I’m in love with you.”
GENRE
-romantic suspense
CONTENT
-🤬: mild language (1 a, 1 d, 7 h)
-❤️: make outs
-⚠️: stalker situation, recollection of a shooting
What a lovely welcome to the town of Autumn Ridge, Vermont!
The Bodyguard's Fall follows Tate and Liv. Liv has been harassed by a stalker for months now, so she is sent to Autumn Ridge to stay with the Walker family . . . and be watched 24/7 by Tate, a cop who is on leave after an injury and who just so happens to be Liv's older brother's best friend. The stalker situation definitely lent itself to some fantastic forced proximity, and we even got a one-bed moment thrown in there. Cindy also had some delightful surprises in this book, which you'll have to find out when you read.
Cindy did a really great job at making it suspenseful but not scary, if that makes sense. Like, I didn't feel like I needed my husband to be around while I was reading because I was so freaked out, but I definitely felt anticipation building throughout the story.
Some things I loved included:
-the text messages between Tate and Will
-the Walker family dynamic, warmth, and protectiveness
-self-defense lessons
-"you're NOT my sister"
-Tate inviting Liv's friends over to visit her
-the nightlight in her room
-scheming brothers (& moms!)
-the [REDACTED] line
-Tate cleaning up the cake
-Liv getting her moment to shine + a moment to watch her man in action
It is single POV, which this author does well, but I do wish that we had gotten some more insight into when Tate started having feelings for Liv. We knew how Liv had found him attractive for years and that it took her months to stop thinking about their interaction at Will's wedding, but we don't really know when Tate started having feelings for her.
Also, it needed more editing / polishing. In the acknowledgments a copyeditor & proofreader are mentioned, but there were a number of things like issues with dialogue tags and action beats, en dashes being used instead of em dashes (but not consistently, sometimes they were really em dashes), and the verb tense sometimes changing. I was pulled out of the story because of these more than once (I swear I tried to turn my editing brain off).
This really was a delightful introduction; I'm so looking forward to the other stories in the series!
Favorite Quotes:
-Was it too much to ask for a potbelly and a balding head? Unfortunately, he was still extremely attractive—if a girl enjoyed the tall, mouthy, stoic type. Which I did not.
-When he was satisfied that I was paying attention, he said, “You’re not a burden, Rawlins. A pain in the butt? Absolutely. But never a burden.”
-Tate began looking around, confusion etched on his face. “What?” I asked in mild alarm. “I’m just checking my surroundings. This seems like the kind of place a guy might get taken advantage of when he’s out here all alone with a romance screenwriter.”
-“Let's get a few things straight, Rawlins. This is a job. Which means I will prioritize your safety over everything else.” My breath caught while his gaze held mine. “But you are absolutely not my sister.”
-“Why don’t you want to take me to Make-Out Ridge?” I teased, trying to bring us back. “Isn’t it good for our cover?” He gave me a look. “You couldn’t handle the ridge with me. Do you want to go?” “To Make-Out Ridge? Sure,” I supplied with a smile. “Rawlins. I’ve noticed you getting a little more feisty lately, which I like, but you need to start thinking about something else besides how sexy I am all the time.”
-“There’s always going to be something that scares you. The trick is figuring out what’s worth being brave for.”
-“This line makes it so we can both go back to our lives when this is all over. This line keeps us focused. This line keeps me focused. Cross it at your own risk.” ... “I’ll cross that line if I feel like it,” I taunted. ... “Cross it at your own risk. But fair warning…I get attached easily.”
-“Are you decent?” I asked. “Rarely,” came his flirtatious reply.
-It’s funny how fear works. But the moment you face it, you realize you were always bigger than it was.
-“I thought you barely tolerated me.” My hands wound their way around his neck, enjoying the feel of his body against mine. He wrinkled his nose playfully. “It’s even worse than that.” “What could be worse?” He brought his face close to mine and whispered, “I’m in love with you.”
August 14, 2026
“𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆’𝒔 𝒂𝒍𝒘𝒂𝒚𝒔 𝒈𝒐𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒐 𝒃𝒆 𝒔𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒔𝒄𝒂𝒓𝒆𝒔 𝒚𝒐𝒖. 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒕𝒓𝒊𝒄𝒌 𝒊𝒔 𝒇𝒊𝒈𝒖𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕’𝒔 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒉 𝒃𝒆𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒃𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓.”
Okay, these fall vibes were absolutely VIBING!! 🍂🍁 Every time August rolls around, I start to crave all of the fall things: pumpkin spice lattes, crisp mornings, gorgeous fall colors, apple cider, pumpkin patches—I think you get the picture 🤭 This book was perfection in that department! Okay, let’s be honest, it was perfection in all of the departments 😄 I was hooked from the moment I read the blurb, and it certainly did not let me down! Since I can’t immediately transport myself to fall, this book and an apple Bloom are the next best thing 😁
Can I just say how much I loved the friend group! Ari and Reese were full of hilarious quips and ever helpful tips for Liv on how to fully appreciate Tate 🤭 Their text threads gave me life—I can’t wait to read their stories in the coming weeks!
The chemistry between Tate & Liv was very apparent from their first on-page interaction, and it only continued to grow in intensity for the duration of the story ✨ The brother’s best friend trope is always so fun to read when the overly protective brother is constantly getting all up in the air over the ever increasing sparks between his sister and friend 🤭 I loved that both the brother and the love interest were both so fiercely protective of Liv. The element of a cop/bodyguard/farmer protecting Liv from her stalker definitely added a fun pizzazz to the plot 😆
This was the perfect beginning of the Falling for Autumn series! I know what I’ll be doing every Wednesday from now until the end of September 😁 You don’t want to miss out on these cozy fall romcoms! 🍁🍂☕️
Okay, these fall vibes were absolutely VIBING!! 🍂🍁 Every time August rolls around, I start to crave all of the fall things: pumpkin spice lattes, crisp mornings, gorgeous fall colors, apple cider, pumpkin patches—I think you get the picture 🤭 This book was perfection in that department! Okay, let’s be honest, it was perfection in all of the departments 😄 I was hooked from the moment I read the blurb, and it certainly did not let me down! Since I can’t immediately transport myself to fall, this book and an apple Bloom are the next best thing 😁
Can I just say how much I loved the friend group! Ari and Reese were full of hilarious quips and ever helpful tips for Liv on how to fully appreciate Tate 🤭 Their text threads gave me life—I can’t wait to read their stories in the coming weeks!
The chemistry between Tate & Liv was very apparent from their first on-page interaction, and it only continued to grow in intensity for the duration of the story ✨ The brother’s best friend trope is always so fun to read when the overly protective brother is constantly getting all up in the air over the ever increasing sparks between his sister and friend 🤭 I loved that both the brother and the love interest were both so fiercely protective of Liv. The element of a cop/bodyguard/farmer protecting Liv from her stalker definitely added a fun pizzazz to the plot 😆
This was the perfect beginning of the Falling for Autumn series! I know what I’ll be doing every Wednesday from now until the end of September 😁 You don’t want to miss out on these cozy fall romcoms! 🍁🍂☕️
August 11, 2026
Not sure how we were lucky enough to get two Cindy Steel books in one year, but I am here for it!
Liv has a stalker and agrees to stay at a family friend’s farm, not knowing her brother’s best friend will be there as her personal bodyguard.
Ok, what an amazing start to what I know will be the best series!! If you like no spice romance and the bodyguard trope, this is a MUST read!! I loved the creativity of Liv being a screenwriter, the banter, and the vivid fall imagery. This book has just the right amount of suspense in combination with the best slow burn romance. Highly recommend!!
Thank you Cindy Steel for the eARC! All opinions expressed are my own.
Liv has a stalker and agrees to stay at a family friend’s farm, not knowing her brother’s best friend will be there as her personal bodyguard.
Ok, what an amazing start to what I know will be the best series!! If you like no spice romance and the bodyguard trope, this is a MUST read!! I loved the creativity of Liv being a screenwriter, the banter, and the vivid fall imagery. This book has just the right amount of suspense in combination with the best slow burn romance. Highly recommend!!
Thank you Cindy Steel for the eARC! All opinions expressed are my own.
August 7, 2026
Y’all it truly is a blessing to have an author you KNOW without a doubt will always write a book you love, and for me that’s @authorcindysteel
The teasing and banter amidst the threat of danger throughout the story were TOP👏🏻 TIER 👏🏻 I fell in love with Tate instantly and I just adore the fact that Cindy can’t help herself, she just has to write a man who can drive a tractor😍👌🏻
The teasing and banter amidst the threat of danger throughout the story were TOP👏🏻 TIER 👏🏻 I fell in love with Tate instantly and I just adore the fact that Cindy can’t help herself, she just has to write a man who can drive a tractor😍👌🏻
August 15, 2026
Read it in one day. SO GOOD! On my top fave book list! Always love this author!
August 15, 2026
I am really struggling to rate this book (I even rated it and then deleted my review after thinking about it) and now can’t decide what to do. Spoiler and some ranting ahead…
What I loved:
- Tate is hilarious. Like flirty in the most sarcastic and dry way possible and I loved it.
- Will and Tate’s text messaging was spot on. Usually the “protective older brother / don’t touch my sister” trope annoys me, but their friendship was perfection.
- So many sweet moments of Tate being adorable but pretending to do and feel nothing - the night light is a perfect example of this.
- Tate’s brother’s locking Tate and Olivia out of the house was so funny.
- Also, the truck lean. Enough said.
- The stalker storyline made this different from other “multi author / seasonally themed” books that can sometimes be a bit repetitive.
What I disliked:
- Olivia. I thought she was immature and I just didn’t feel any chemistry with Tate (from her end). It continued to feel like a “friendly / annoying brother” type of chemistry even though we had her POV the entire time. She thought all the correct “I’m falling for him things,” but I wasn’t convinced. Whenever she “flirted” with him, it felt awkward.
- Her boss being a jerk and complaining about her script deadline even though she was part of a police investigation because of a stalker. It made no sense.
- The marriage of convenience nonsense. The reasoning made zero sense and felt so forced. It seemed like an “end of the book Hail Mary” to try to force Tate and Olivia together so they could build connection even though they were together the entire book and hadn’t yet. The marriage felt like a trope for the sake of a trope and completely pulled me out of the story. It would have made more sense to do it so that Leroy was triggered and came out of hiding. Getting married because of an inappropriate and unprofessional work contract came so out of nowhere. Her boss being in her personal business was so weird.
Initially, I was thinking two stars, but I can’t do that because I loved Tate so I’m going to settle on three stars. I just wish Olivia had given some of that personality/connection/chemistry back and she really did not. In my opinion, of course, because everyone seems to love this book and I’m so happy for them. I just thought Will and Tate had more chemistry than Olivia and Tate did.
What I loved:
- Tate is hilarious. Like flirty in the most sarcastic and dry way possible and I loved it.
- Will and Tate’s text messaging was spot on. Usually the “protective older brother / don’t touch my sister” trope annoys me, but their friendship was perfection.
- So many sweet moments of Tate being adorable but pretending to do and feel nothing - the night light is a perfect example of this.
- Tate’s brother’s locking Tate and Olivia out of the house was so funny.
- Also, the truck lean. Enough said.
- The stalker storyline made this different from other “multi author / seasonally themed” books that can sometimes be a bit repetitive.
What I disliked:
- Olivia. I thought she was immature and I just didn’t feel any chemistry with Tate (from her end). It continued to feel like a “friendly / annoying brother” type of chemistry even though we had her POV the entire time. She thought all the correct “I’m falling for him things,” but I wasn’t convinced. Whenever she “flirted” with him, it felt awkward.
- Her boss being a jerk and complaining about her script deadline even though she was part of a police investigation because of a stalker. It made no sense.
- The marriage of convenience nonsense. The reasoning made zero sense and felt so forced. It seemed like an “end of the book Hail Mary” to try to force Tate and Olivia together so they could build connection even though they were together the entire book and hadn’t yet. The marriage felt like a trope for the sake of a trope and completely pulled me out of the story. It would have made more sense to do it so that Leroy was triggered and came out of hiding. Getting married because of an inappropriate and unprofessional work contract came so out of nowhere. Her boss being in her personal business was so weird.
Initially, I was thinking two stars, but I can’t do that because I loved Tate so I’m going to settle on three stars. I just wish Olivia had given some of that personality/connection/chemistry back and she really did not. In my opinion, of course, because everyone seems to love this book and I’m so happy for them. I just thought Will and Tate had more chemistry than Olivia and Tate did.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 17, 2026
Read till 65%ish, skimmed the rest.
Things that annoyed me about this book:
1. The fall p*rn for the sake of fall p*rn. Felt like I was actually being waterboarded by a pumpkin spice latte. Cute at first, but spiraled into “what if we put every fall cliché in rapid succession, wouldn’t that be cozy”
2. If this is supposed to be a stand-alone, you don’t need to introduce every! single! one! of the characters of the series and the entire! freaking! town! in this book. A literal FIREHOSE of faceless names that didn’t matter to the plot at all.
3. So many meaningless conversations and superfluous descriptions purely to take up page space. Why do I care what the mayor’s party looks like? Why do I need a list of everything Liv has done in the past two days? Why do I need the history of Joe Buglebach-what’s-his-face for a plot-forcing “random” conversation in a library?
4. The ham-fisted marriage-of-convenience plot point. Homegirl tried to make it plausible by making it work-induced but it was laughably ridiculous nonetheless.
5. Olivia not having a personality outside of being stalked. Take away the stalker and you just have someone who half-heartedly writes crappy screenplays. That’s it.
6. How Olivia had to tell me every page that she was attracted to Tate instead of me being shown how attracted they were to each other. This girl is FRESH out of fleeing the woods and her creepy azz stalker hiding in a tree under complete darkness, and immediately we have to read how she’s forcing herself to not think about how hot Tate looks in his t-shirt.
!!?!!!&$?????!!!@$
Can we please just write women who function like sane human beings? PLEASE?
7. The general arch of Olivia always having needed protection since she was in diapers and never self-actualizing into a capable adult woman. Infantilizing, juvenile, and wholly unattractive.
I read The One with the Kiss Cam and thought I’d been ordained as a forever fan of Cindy Steel, but have not been able to stomach any of her other books. 4th dud for me, so I’m tapping out.
Tate was cool, though. Happy for him.
Things that annoyed me about this book:
1. The fall p*rn for the sake of fall p*rn. Felt like I was actually being waterboarded by a pumpkin spice latte. Cute at first, but spiraled into “what if we put every fall cliché in rapid succession, wouldn’t that be cozy”
2. If this is supposed to be a stand-alone, you don’t need to introduce every! single! one! of the characters of the series and the entire! freaking! town! in this book. A literal FIREHOSE of faceless names that didn’t matter to the plot at all.
3. So many meaningless conversations and superfluous descriptions purely to take up page space. Why do I care what the mayor’s party looks like? Why do I need a list of everything Liv has done in the past two days? Why do I need the history of Joe Buglebach-what’s-his-face for a plot-forcing “random” conversation in a library?
4. The ham-fisted marriage-of-convenience plot point. Homegirl tried to make it plausible by making it work-induced but it was laughably ridiculous nonetheless.
5. Olivia not having a personality outside of being stalked. Take away the stalker and you just have someone who half-heartedly writes crappy screenplays. That’s it.
6. How Olivia had to tell me every page that she was attracted to Tate instead of me being shown how attracted they were to each other. This girl is FRESH out of fleeing the woods and her creepy azz stalker hiding in a tree under complete darkness, and immediately we have to read how she’s forcing herself to not think about how hot Tate looks in his t-shirt.
!!?!!!&$?????!!!@$
Can we please just write women who function like sane human beings? PLEASE?
7. The general arch of Olivia always having needed protection since she was in diapers and never self-actualizing into a capable adult woman. Infantilizing, juvenile, and wholly unattractive.
I read The One with the Kiss Cam and thought I’d been ordained as a forever fan of Cindy Steel, but have not been able to stomach any of her other books. 4th dud for me, so I’m tapping out.
Tate was cool, though. Happy for him.
August 12, 2026
“I had no reason for my eyes to keep wandering over to her. But Liv was… magnetic. In a room full of people, she wasn’t the loudest or the boldest, but she was the one everyone wanted to be around. I thought I was here for Will and free food, but I found myself continually drawn back to her… and usually with a smile on my face.”
If there is one thing Cindy Steel knows how to do, it is capturing my attention from the very beginning and keeping me turning pages with her characters’ undeniable chemistry, flirty banter, and swoony kisses!
The Bodyguard’s Fall* is the first book in the *Falling for Autumn* multi-author series, and if they are all this good, I am HERE FOR ALL OF THEM!!
Liv has known Tate for most of her life. After all, he’s her brother’s best friend! When Liv’s safety comes into question, her brother comes up with a plan to keep her safe. Little does Liv know, that plan includes Tate becoming her bodyguard while he’s on leave from his job as a police officer. And from there, the fun, flirting, and tension begin!
This book!! Ahhh!! It was SO, SO good! The chemistry between Liv and Tate was absolutely off the charts! I loved the brother’s best friend/forbidden love trope tangled up with fake dating and a marriage of convenience. All of these tropes combined made this such a fun read and kept me rooting for Liv and Tate to finally figure out their feelings for each other!
Of course, I loved the banter, the chemistry, the tension, the small-town festivities, the secret glances, the text threads (especially the ones between Will & Tate! 😂), the Walker family, Tate’s protective nature, Tate calling her “Rawlins,” the boxing lessons, the suspense, and—best of all—the HEA! 🥰
If you’re looking for a fun, flirty, small-town romance with ALL the chemistry and some seriously swoony moments, add this one to your TBR! 📚
If there is one thing Cindy Steel knows how to do, it is capturing my attention from the very beginning and keeping me turning pages with her characters’ undeniable chemistry, flirty banter, and swoony kisses!
The Bodyguard’s Fall* is the first book in the *Falling for Autumn* multi-author series, and if they are all this good, I am HERE FOR ALL OF THEM!!
Liv has known Tate for most of her life. After all, he’s her brother’s best friend! When Liv’s safety comes into question, her brother comes up with a plan to keep her safe. Little does Liv know, that plan includes Tate becoming her bodyguard while he’s on leave from his job as a police officer. And from there, the fun, flirting, and tension begin!
This book!! Ahhh!! It was SO, SO good! The chemistry between Liv and Tate was absolutely off the charts! I loved the brother’s best friend/forbidden love trope tangled up with fake dating and a marriage of convenience. All of these tropes combined made this such a fun read and kept me rooting for Liv and Tate to finally figure out their feelings for each other!
Of course, I loved the banter, the chemistry, the tension, the small-town festivities, the secret glances, the text threads (especially the ones between Will & Tate! 😂), the Walker family, Tate’s protective nature, Tate calling her “Rawlins,” the boxing lessons, the suspense, and—best of all—the HEA! 🥰
If you’re looking for a fun, flirty, small-town romance with ALL the chemistry and some seriously swoony moments, add this one to your TBR! 📚
August 13, 2026
“Did you miss me?”
“Like a paper cut.”
“According to your brother, you have to be nice to me.”
The Bodyguard’s Fall by Cindy Steel is everything I love in a romcom and more. Not only does a romcom feel pierce my heart every time, but the added currents of suspense only fueled my desire to fly through the pages, binging on this story like a cinnamon sweet roll and a maple flavored drink.
“Fall in this town was pure magic.”
Everything about this book had my heart singing–autumn-kissed trees, fall festivals, barn dances, and tractor rides. From the setting to the characters, I was immediately invested in this book. With the coziest autumn vibes in a fictional Vermont setting, I could almost feel the sugary maple syrup running through my veins, giving me that rush and high that only a sweet romance can.
Tate is an injured cop on leave, Liv’s brother’s best friend, and now her bodyguard. Liv is a true crime writer, trying her hand at romance, and desperately trying to avoid her stalker. Tate is capable, protective, grumpy, and oh, so gooey in the middle. Liv is the sweetest and sassiest character, and they completely complement one another. I fell hard and fast for these two, and couldn’t get enough of the friends and family that surrounded them.
Not only are there surprising twists and turns found within these pages, but many hidden tropes that sparked, along with fantastic banter, that brought me smiles and swoons.
I’m Falling for Autumn and I couldn’t be happier about it.
*I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given*
“Like a paper cut.”
“According to your brother, you have to be nice to me.”
The Bodyguard’s Fall by Cindy Steel is everything I love in a romcom and more. Not only does a romcom feel pierce my heart every time, but the added currents of suspense only fueled my desire to fly through the pages, binging on this story like a cinnamon sweet roll and a maple flavored drink.
“Fall in this town was pure magic.”
Everything about this book had my heart singing–autumn-kissed trees, fall festivals, barn dances, and tractor rides. From the setting to the characters, I was immediately invested in this book. With the coziest autumn vibes in a fictional Vermont setting, I could almost feel the sugary maple syrup running through my veins, giving me that rush and high that only a sweet romance can.
Tate is an injured cop on leave, Liv’s brother’s best friend, and now her bodyguard. Liv is a true crime writer, trying her hand at romance, and desperately trying to avoid her stalker. Tate is capable, protective, grumpy, and oh, so gooey in the middle. Liv is the sweetest and sassiest character, and they completely complement one another. I fell hard and fast for these two, and couldn’t get enough of the friends and family that surrounded them.
Not only are there surprising twists and turns found within these pages, but many hidden tropes that sparked, along with fantastic banter, that brought me smiles and swoons.
I’m Falling for Autumn and I couldn’t be happier about it.
*I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given*
August 12, 2026
Lily’s Content Guide
💋 Romance level: Kisses only, Innuendo
🗣️ Language: 7 uses of h*ll, 1 use of d*mn, 1 use of a**
⚠️ Content Warning: stalking
📚 Genre: Contemporary romance
🎀 Lily’s verdict: ♥️ New Favorite
Impossible to put down!! I absolutely DEVOURED this book😍
And have you SEEN these tropes?!?! This book had basically everything I love wrapped into one story. And just when you think you know what you’re getting…there are a few surprise tropes thrown in too, and they were SO fun🤭
Tate’s brothers were easily one of my favorite parts😂 They had me laughing so much, and I loved having those lighter, chaotic family moments mixed in with the heavier stalker storyline.
And Tate and Liv?!?! THE CHEMISTRY🤩 The flirty banter was absolutely top tier and I was smiling through half this book. I ate up every interaction between them.
But “your pillow needs fixed”?!?!?! 🫠😍Excuse me while I MELT. That entire moment had my heart(honestly so many moments had my entire heart lol)
Protective bodyguard + obsessed stalker + sizzling chemistry + hilarious family dynamics?? Apparently the recipe for a new favorite because I absolutely loved this one❤️
🍂Protective Bodyguard
✨Obsessed Stalker
🍂Forced Proximity
✨Small Vermont Town
🍂Brother’s Best Friend
✨Banter and Chemistry
💋 Romance level: Kisses only, Innuendo
🗣️ Language: 7 uses of h*ll, 1 use of d*mn, 1 use of a**
⚠️ Content Warning: stalking
📚 Genre: Contemporary romance
🎀 Lily’s verdict: ♥️ New Favorite
Impossible to put down!! I absolutely DEVOURED this book😍
And have you SEEN these tropes?!?! This book had basically everything I love wrapped into one story. And just when you think you know what you’re getting…there are a few surprise tropes thrown in too, and they were SO fun🤭
Tate’s brothers were easily one of my favorite parts😂 They had me laughing so much, and I loved having those lighter, chaotic family moments mixed in with the heavier stalker storyline.
And Tate and Liv?!?! THE CHEMISTRY🤩 The flirty banter was absolutely top tier and I was smiling through half this book. I ate up every interaction between them.
But “your pillow needs fixed”?!?!?! 🫠😍Excuse me while I MELT. That entire moment had my heart(honestly so many moments had my entire heart lol)
Protective bodyguard + obsessed stalker + sizzling chemistry + hilarious family dynamics?? Apparently the recipe for a new favorite because I absolutely loved this one❤️
🍂Protective Bodyguard
✨Obsessed Stalker
🍂Forced Proximity
✨Small Vermont Town
🍂Brother’s Best Friend
✨Banter and Chemistry
August 13, 2026
Cindy Steel has blessed us with another fantastic, laugh-out-loud, kick your feet and squeal romantic comedy—this time with an added level of suspense.
Flirty banter is Cindy Steel’s forte and it had me smiling and laughing on every page. I absolutely loved Tate and Liv together. They were so stinking fun!
Liv and Tate’s relationship developed so naturally and I enjoyed every moment of them together…which is the entire book because—BODYGUARD! The swoon was swooning for sure!
The suspense element definitely landed and kept me turning the pages anxiously to find out what would happen.
I loved the introduction to Autumn Ridge and some of the characters that will be showing up in the rest of the series. I can’t wait to read them all!
🔥Romance: Kissing
Content: Mild infrequent language; Stalker
Thank you to the author for the eARC.
Flirty banter is Cindy Steel’s forte and it had me smiling and laughing on every page. I absolutely loved Tate and Liv together. They were so stinking fun!
Liv and Tate’s relationship developed so naturally and I enjoyed every moment of them together…which is the entire book because—BODYGUARD! The swoon was swooning for sure!
The suspense element definitely landed and kept me turning the pages anxiously to find out what would happen.
I loved the introduction to Autumn Ridge and some of the characters that will be showing up in the rest of the series. I can’t wait to read them all!
🔥Romance: Kissing
Content: Mild infrequent language; Stalker
Thank you to the author for the eARC.
August 15, 2026
MY GRACIOUS THIS WAS SOOOOO GOOD! Cindy, I freaking love you and will read everything you write with all the glee in my heart and soul. I don't really want to write much about the plot because I highly recommend just diving in without reading much about the plot, etc. But I will just say The Bodyguard's Fall was filled with incredible banter, teasing, a very protective and capable MMC, the sweetest family, and just great cozy fall vibes overall. 10/10, no notes, the perfect intro to this series!
Language: mild/nonexistent (one use of smart*ss)
Content (potential spoilers): clean adult romance, kisses only, some peril including instances with a stalker, off page retelling of undercover cops getting ambushed and shot (no deaths)
Language: mild/nonexistent (one use of smart*ss)
Content (potential spoilers): clean adult romance, kisses only, some peril including instances with a stalker, off page retelling of undercover cops getting ambushed and shot (no deaths)
August 14, 2026
4.5/5 🌟
My {unhinged} thoughts:
I wish someone would have live recorded me when I read the part where Tate grabs her chair 😂 I hollered! The dynamics of the Walker family was so so so good! I loved the teasing between the brothers 🤣 Cindy Steel writes the best banter and antics between characters/ side characters. If you loved That Fine Line, you’ll love this one too. I also enjoyed/ laughed at the texts between Will & Tate.
My favorite parts:
Luke was the ultimate side character 🙌 the bandage scene was funny + a little 🥵
The night light!!! 🥹🥹
So. Many. Great. Quotes {separate post coming soon for these!}
This was such a great start to what I know is going to be a series I’ll love! Please tell me your thoughts/ share with me as you read the series!!
No Spice
My {unhinged} thoughts:
I wish someone would have live recorded me when I read the part where Tate grabs her chair 😂 I hollered! The dynamics of the Walker family was so so so good! I loved the teasing between the brothers 🤣 Cindy Steel writes the best banter and antics between characters/ side characters. If you loved That Fine Line, you’ll love this one too. I also enjoyed/ laughed at the texts between Will & Tate.
My favorite parts:
Luke was the ultimate side character 🙌 the bandage scene was funny + a little 🥵
The night light!!! 🥹🥹
So. Many. Great. Quotes {separate post coming soon for these!}
This was such a great start to what I know is going to be a series I’ll love! Please tell me your thoughts/ share with me as you read the series!!
No Spice
August 17, 2026
Brother’s best friend, forced proximity, fake dating, marriage of convenience… There were sooooo many tropes in this one book, and I loved every. single. one. They all worked and it was so over the top and I was hooked.. The stalker aspect with the suspense was the best add, and that’s really what did it for me. We love a protective cop MMC. I’m so excited for this entire series!
4.5 stars only because there were some places where there was a lot of word repetition and it could’ve used some variety in language.
4.5 stars only because there were some places where there was a lot of word repetition and it could’ve used some variety in language.
August 17, 2026
No surprise I loved this one. Cindy Steel is one of my favorite romcom authors. Her books are funny, full of banter, and so swoony. This was no exception.
I would like to think I would be able to keep my humor if I had a stalker. This book had so many funny moments, it really helped keep the overall feeling light and fluffy. I absolutly loved the text messages between Tate and Will. All the banter was so much fun.
I usually don’t read/like fake dating, but in this case it worked for me. I think it was becuase their families and friends were in on it.
I would like to think I would be able to keep my humor if I had a stalker. This book had so many funny moments, it really helped keep the overall feeling light and fluffy. I absolutly loved the text messages between Tate and Will. All the banter was so much fun.
I usually don’t read/like fake dating, but in this case it worked for me. I think it was becuase their families and friends were in on it.
August 16, 2026
Cindy Steel is at it again! Loved this one. Loved the Fall setting 🍁🎃 and the storyline. It’s hard to do a modern-day marriage of convenience story but she was able to pull it off. I also liked that this is a singular pov. Having a stalker is scary business and Cindy did a great job capturing the essence of that and still having a great resolution. I will have to pull this one back out to read each Fall time.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 12, 2026
3.5 rounding up to 4 stars. Super cute and fluffy book with just the right amount on tension and suspense. Could some of the pacing and things been better, sure. But overall I enjoyed the novel and as usual, love Cindy Steel’s storytelling.
August 14, 2026
This book you guys…. I could not put it down! I took it with me everywhere I went and read it every chance I got. This book was so beyond adorable and was so well written. I absolutely love all of Cindy Steele’s books. This one did not disappoint!
August 16, 2026
Swoony fun, lol
Another wonderful read from Cindy Steel! She's the best at enemies to lovers stories & the banter is so much fun. I just wish I wasn't done cuz now the book hangover follows - time to re-read one of her others! 😉
*Romance level: passionate kisses, but nothing graphic
Another wonderful read from Cindy Steel! She's the best at enemies to lovers stories & the banter is so much fun. I just wish I wasn't done cuz now the book hangover follows - time to re-read one of her others! 😉
*Romance level: passionate kisses, but nothing graphic
August 14, 2026
Well done. I liked the suspense aspect, and I especially liked the text messages and the Walker family.
August 17, 2026
I was so excited for this book to come out and it didn’t disappoint! I actually really loved the storyline and the intensity it added to your typical rom-com. Excited to keep reading the series!
August 14, 2026
Advanced copy review
It turns out I can’t just start a Cindy Steel book and not finish it that day.
I love autumn and it was so fun to read this autumn romance by one of my favorite authors. Suspense, banter, romance, all in my favorite time of the year. Lots of swoon, while keeping it low spice.
I honestly couldn’t put it down. It was a total mood boost for me and I’ve already ordered the paperback for my daughter to read, who is also a Cindy Steel fan.
It turns out I can’t just start a Cindy Steel book and not finish it that day.
I love autumn and it was so fun to read this autumn romance by one of my favorite authors. Suspense, banter, romance, all in my favorite time of the year. Lots of swoon, while keeping it low spice.
I honestly couldn’t put it down. It was a total mood boost for me and I’ve already ordered the paperback for my daughter to read, who is also a Cindy Steel fan.
August 16, 2026
PERFECT START TO A NEW FALL SERIES
📚-5 🌶️-1 🤬-0
The Bodyguard’s Fall by Cindy Steel
Cindy Steel is one of my favorite authors. I’ve read one of her books a couple of times, and I always wait anxiously for news of a new release. I’ve especially loved the collaborative series she’s been a part of over the last couple of years.
This is the first book in the new Falling for Autumn series, and I was excited about it before it was even released. Now that I’ve read it, I’m even more excited for the rest of the books to come in the next few weeks!
Liv is such a fun character. She feels so real because of all the different, realistic emotions she experiences as she navigates an increasingly scary stalker situation. She tries to play everything off by making jokes, but you quickly realize just how overwhelmed she actually is. She’s doing her best to navigate the situation, but unfortunately, it becomes blatantly obvious that denial is her actual tactic.
Can we just take a moment to admire Tate on the pedestal he deserves? He’s definitely dealing with some of his own baggage in this book, but from the very beginning, it’s obvious that he can’t help but focus on Liv whenever she’s in front of him. This guy is waving green flags the entire book. He’s sweet and tender when he needs to be, but he’s also more than happy to poke and prod at Liv when she needs it.
And their banter! So good. They can both dish it out in the best ways, but their vulnerability with each other was just as endearing. They were definitely fighting their connection from the beginning, but it never felt like instant love. It felt more like this very innocent crush that slowly developed in the best way throughout the book. And honestly, it would have been easier to overlook if the circumstances weren’t so dire.
Tate was determined to protect Liv by any means possible, while Liv was desperately in need of a safe place to land. I was 100% invested in this relationship from the very beginning. And the belt-loop pulls… I mean, COME ON! How was anyone supposed to resist that?!
Also, can we give couple other shout-outs? First to the Walker family?! They were mischievous in the very best way. They were all 100% ready to protect Liv, but they were also more than happy to give some not-so-subtle shoves and scheme their way into getting these two to finally admit their feelings. Second, Will and Tate's text messages at the beginning of each chapter!
Please read this book! I cannot recommend it enough. And while you’re at it, go back and read every other book Cindy Steel has ever written. You won’t regret it.
Now I’m just sitting here waiting impatiently for the rest of this series to be released. It’s going to be a long six weeks.
Spice: 🌶️
Spicy Chapter: None
Thoughts: Closed door but it was not lacking in emotional buildup and tension. The slow burn and simple kisses only amplified the romance.
Language
F Word Count: 0
Thoughts: Clean language - There was no swearing throughout the entire book.
———————————————————————
My Rating Scales
1/5 Spice
Very clean romance with little to no sexual content. Expect mostly kissing, emotional tension, and sweet romantic moments.
2/5 Spice
Some sexual content and chemistry, but nothing overly explicit. Expect fade-to-black scenes or lightly detailed intimate moments rather than graphic descriptions.
3/5 Spice
Open-door romance with moderate detail, but the scenes aren’t excessive or overly graphic. Expect a few moderately descriptive scenes that support the story rather than dominate it.
4/5 Spice
Definitely a spicy read with multiple open-door scenes and explicit detail. (🌶️) The intimate scenes are longer, more descriptive, and play a larger role in the overall story. (🫑)You’ll also find frequent sexual tension and references, including attraction, arousal, fantasies, dreams, and suggestive thoughts throughout the book.
5/5 Spice
Heavy spice with frequent, highly explicit scenes and graphic detail throughout the book. Expect lengthy intimate scenes, strong sexual content, and a story where the spice is a major focus of the reading experience. For me, these books fall into the “smut” category rather than simply being “spicy.”
0/5 Language
No profanity or crude language. F-word count: 0
1/5 Language
Occasional mild profanity. No F-words or explicit sexual language. F-word count: 0
2/5 Language
Frequent mild to moderate profanity, but still no F-words. F-word count: 0
3/5 Language
Mild swearing with occasional F-words but no explicit sexual language. Typical F-word count: 1–29
4/5 Language
Heavy profanity with frequent F-words and may also include some use of explicit sexual language. Typical F-word count: 30+
5/5 Language
Very heavy profanity with constant strong language, frequent F-words, and extensive explicit sexual language throughout the book. Typical F-word count: 50+
📚-5 🌶️-1 🤬-0
The Bodyguard’s Fall by Cindy Steel
Cindy Steel is one of my favorite authors. I’ve read one of her books a couple of times, and I always wait anxiously for news of a new release. I’ve especially loved the collaborative series she’s been a part of over the last couple of years.
This is the first book in the new Falling for Autumn series, and I was excited about it before it was even released. Now that I’ve read it, I’m even more excited for the rest of the books to come in the next few weeks!
Liv is such a fun character. She feels so real because of all the different, realistic emotions she experiences as she navigates an increasingly scary stalker situation. She tries to play everything off by making jokes, but you quickly realize just how overwhelmed she actually is. She’s doing her best to navigate the situation, but unfortunately, it becomes blatantly obvious that denial is her actual tactic.
Can we just take a moment to admire Tate on the pedestal he deserves? He’s definitely dealing with some of his own baggage in this book, but from the very beginning, it’s obvious that he can’t help but focus on Liv whenever she’s in front of him. This guy is waving green flags the entire book. He’s sweet and tender when he needs to be, but he’s also more than happy to poke and prod at Liv when she needs it.
And their banter! So good. They can both dish it out in the best ways, but their vulnerability with each other was just as endearing. They were definitely fighting their connection from the beginning, but it never felt like instant love. It felt more like this very innocent crush that slowly developed in the best way throughout the book. And honestly, it would have been easier to overlook if the circumstances weren’t so dire.
Tate was determined to protect Liv by any means possible, while Liv was desperately in need of a safe place to land. I was 100% invested in this relationship from the very beginning. And the belt-loop pulls… I mean, COME ON! How was anyone supposed to resist that?!
Also, can we give couple other shout-outs? First to the Walker family?! They were mischievous in the very best way. They were all 100% ready to protect Liv, but they were also more than happy to give some not-so-subtle shoves and scheme their way into getting these two to finally admit their feelings. Second, Will and Tate's text messages at the beginning of each chapter!
Please read this book! I cannot recommend it enough. And while you’re at it, go back and read every other book Cindy Steel has ever written. You won’t regret it.
Now I’m just sitting here waiting impatiently for the rest of this series to be released. It’s going to be a long six weeks.
Spice: 🌶️
Spicy Chapter: None
Thoughts: Closed door but it was not lacking in emotional buildup and tension. The slow burn and simple kisses only amplified the romance.
Language
F Word Count: 0
Thoughts: Clean language - There was no swearing throughout the entire book.
———————————————————————
My Rating Scales
1/5 Spice
Very clean romance with little to no sexual content. Expect mostly kissing, emotional tension, and sweet romantic moments.
2/5 Spice
Some sexual content and chemistry, but nothing overly explicit. Expect fade-to-black scenes or lightly detailed intimate moments rather than graphic descriptions.
3/5 Spice
Open-door romance with moderate detail, but the scenes aren’t excessive or overly graphic. Expect a few moderately descriptive scenes that support the story rather than dominate it.
4/5 Spice
Definitely a spicy read with multiple open-door scenes and explicit detail. (🌶️) The intimate scenes are longer, more descriptive, and play a larger role in the overall story. (🫑)You’ll also find frequent sexual tension and references, including attraction, arousal, fantasies, dreams, and suggestive thoughts throughout the book.
5/5 Spice
Heavy spice with frequent, highly explicit scenes and graphic detail throughout the book. Expect lengthy intimate scenes, strong sexual content, and a story where the spice is a major focus of the reading experience. For me, these books fall into the “smut” category rather than simply being “spicy.”
0/5 Language
No profanity or crude language. F-word count: 0
1/5 Language
Occasional mild profanity. No F-words or explicit sexual language. F-word count: 0
2/5 Language
Frequent mild to moderate profanity, but still no F-words. F-word count: 0
3/5 Language
Mild swearing with occasional F-words but no explicit sexual language. Typical F-word count: 1–29
4/5 Language
Heavy profanity with frequent F-words and may also include some use of explicit sexual language. Typical F-word count: 30+
5/5 Language
Very heavy profanity with constant strong language, frequent F-words, and extensive explicit sexual language throughout the book. Typical F-word count: 50+
August 16, 2026
Wow! The much-anticipated Falling for Autumn series is finally here & Cindy Steele definitely knocks it out of the park with The Bodyguard’s Fall! I absolutely adore her books & was so excited to see she added a mystery element along with the amazing banter, swoony kisses, & fantastic small-town fall vibes. This story had me laughing, grinning, swooning, & kept me on the edge of my seat!
Mystery screenwriter Liv Rawlins is smart, sweet, & a bit sassy when it comes to Tate Walker, her older brother’s overprotective best friend. As a cop, he took pleasure in busting up potential make-out sessions when she was younger, & years later, he’s still protecting her. When an unrelenting stalker escalates his threats, Liv’s brother Will takes her to the only place he knows she’ll be safe: his best friend’s family farm in Autumn Ridge, Vermont. But, much to Liv’s dismay, it’s Tate who’s assigned to be her bodyguard. And, not only is she dealing with a stalker, but her production company wants her to write a sweet romance in six weeks, something that’s way out of her comfort zone.
Wounded in action, Tate agrees to protect Liv while he’s recovering at the family farm & his brothers & parents are giddy with excitement, especially when Will suggests they pose as boyfriend & girlfriend around town in case the stalker discovers where she is. But as the sparks fly, Liv finds herself not just leaning on Tate for protection, but falling in love.
I loved this story!!! The banter is so much fun, & the slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers, close-proximity romance absolutely sizzles! Liv & Tate’s chemistry is off the charts & I loved how Tate teases one minute, then instantly goes into protection mode the moment he perceives a threat. This hunky guy’s the perfect bodyguard & I adored watching him in action. The texts between him & WiIl had me laughing out loud! I also adored Liv! She’s been through so much with this creepy stalker, & I enjoyed seeing her regain her spunk. Loved all their charming fall themed “dates!”
Ahh, this book’s the perfect start to this new series & I loved meeting future characters. Can’t wait for all their stories! Highly recommend! I received an advanced copy, but also read in Kindle Unlimited. All opinions are my own & voluntarily provided.
Mystery screenwriter Liv Rawlins is smart, sweet, & a bit sassy when it comes to Tate Walker, her older brother’s overprotective best friend. As a cop, he took pleasure in busting up potential make-out sessions when she was younger, & years later, he’s still protecting her. When an unrelenting stalker escalates his threats, Liv’s brother Will takes her to the only place he knows she’ll be safe: his best friend’s family farm in Autumn Ridge, Vermont. But, much to Liv’s dismay, it’s Tate who’s assigned to be her bodyguard. And, not only is she dealing with a stalker, but her production company wants her to write a sweet romance in six weeks, something that’s way out of her comfort zone.
Wounded in action, Tate agrees to protect Liv while he’s recovering at the family farm & his brothers & parents are giddy with excitement, especially when Will suggests they pose as boyfriend & girlfriend around town in case the stalker discovers where she is. But as the sparks fly, Liv finds herself not just leaning on Tate for protection, but falling in love.
I loved this story!!! The banter is so much fun, & the slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers, close-proximity romance absolutely sizzles! Liv & Tate’s chemistry is off the charts & I loved how Tate teases one minute, then instantly goes into protection mode the moment he perceives a threat. This hunky guy’s the perfect bodyguard & I adored watching him in action. The texts between him & WiIl had me laughing out loud! I also adored Liv! She’s been through so much with this creepy stalker, & I enjoyed seeing her regain her spunk. Loved all their charming fall themed “dates!”
Ahh, this book’s the perfect start to this new series & I loved meeting future characters. Can’t wait for all their stories! Highly recommend! I received an advanced copy, but also read in Kindle Unlimited. All opinions are my own & voluntarily provided.
Review of advance copy received from Author
THE BODYGUARD’S FALL
(Falling for Autumn Series, Book One)
by: Cindy Steel
@authorcindysteel
••I give 5 stars!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
-I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
~Her stalker is getting closer. So is her bodyguard. I know how to write murder mysteries. Dead bodies?
Great. Blood and gore? Even better. Romance?
Absolutely not...
-Oh my friends, there is just something about Fall and writing from @authorcindysteel that draws me in! My goodness, THE BODYGUARD’S FALL is in out such a fantastic story worth reading! I thoroughly enjoyed this story from start to finish. Once I began, there was no stopping! I was fully invested, engaged, and satisfied! There is plenty to adore including such cozy Fall vibes, witty banter, forced proximity, sparkling chemistry, swoon, humor, mystery, suspense, small town vibes, relatable and endearing characters, so many plot twists, and so much more! What I loved most about this gem of a story was watching the genuine care, protection throughout, and watching characters bravely face their fears! The safety, comfort, strength with characters overcoming and working through struggles had my heart! Seeing the happiness that comes with freedom with faith over fear was inspiring and heartwarming! The strength in together, makes all the difference. Also, this book can easily be read as both a delightful standalone and a fantastic start to an amazing series with a few crossover characters! All of which I am here for! Friends, THE BODYGUARD’S FALL is definitely a must read story worth reading and loving!🍁📚‼️
“SOMETIMES THE SAFEST PLACE TO FALL...
IS IN LOVE.”
•Content: some suspense, stalker issue (handled with care & with few intense scenes), a few bible swears used throughout, some mild danger, some mild innuendo, kisses only! Clean contemporary romance!
#thebodyguardsfall
#fallingforautumnseries
#authorcindysteel
#allaboutthebestreads
(Falling for Autumn Series, Book One)
by: Cindy Steel
@authorcindysteel
••I give 5 stars!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
-I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
~Her stalker is getting closer. So is her bodyguard. I know how to write murder mysteries. Dead bodies?
Great. Blood and gore? Even better. Romance?
Absolutely not...
-Oh my friends, there is just something about Fall and writing from @authorcindysteel that draws me in! My goodness, THE BODYGUARD’S FALL is in out such a fantastic story worth reading! I thoroughly enjoyed this story from start to finish. Once I began, there was no stopping! I was fully invested, engaged, and satisfied! There is plenty to adore including such cozy Fall vibes, witty banter, forced proximity, sparkling chemistry, swoon, humor, mystery, suspense, small town vibes, relatable and endearing characters, so many plot twists, and so much more! What I loved most about this gem of a story was watching the genuine care, protection throughout, and watching characters bravely face their fears! The safety, comfort, strength with characters overcoming and working through struggles had my heart! Seeing the happiness that comes with freedom with faith over fear was inspiring and heartwarming! The strength in together, makes all the difference. Also, this book can easily be read as both a delightful standalone and a fantastic start to an amazing series with a few crossover characters! All of which I am here for! Friends, THE BODYGUARD’S FALL is definitely a must read story worth reading and loving!🍁📚‼️
“SOMETIMES THE SAFEST PLACE TO FALL...
IS IN LOVE.”
•Content: some suspense, stalker issue (handled with care & with few intense scenes), a few bible swears used throughout, some mild danger, some mild innuendo, kisses only! Clean contemporary romance!
#thebodyguardsfall
#fallingforautumnseries
#authorcindysteel
#allaboutthebestreads
Review of advance copy received from Author
Cindy Steel wrote a suspenseful romance say less.
There was a butt spank say less.
The author researched and had an accurate representation of a cop say less.
A bodyguard trope say less.
A cozy fall vibe say less.
Meddling brother's say less.
This was such a fun read! Kicking off the Falling for Autumn series with a bang. The banter, the flirting, and the suspense was just so good.
Liv is a screen writer who has recently switched from writing suspense to all out romance, because of company change and scandal. She is also being stalked and has been holed up in survival mode by herself. Her cop brother steps in and has her relocated.
Tate is a cop on administrative leave because of an injury he accquired while on the job. He is tasked with guarding Liv while staying at his parents farm.
These two were a blast. I loved the slow burn, the reluctantcy, the banter, the flirting, and the way these two were with each other. There were a lot of tense moments and I loved how they leaned on each other. I loved the meddling family and the way they pushed Liv and Tate together. The farm doings were a blast; all the tractor rides, games of speed, and meals shared were beautiful. I love how Liv had to decide if she was going to be brave and stand and fight or cower and back down. I also love how Tate equipped her with tools to take care of it herself, but was always there to protect her. The ending was perfect and I can't wait to read the rest of this series!
Thank you Cindy for this arc. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Brother's best friend
Bodyguard
Forced proximity
Found family
Screen writer FMC
Cop MMC
Single POV
Favorite things:
Text messages between Will & Tate
Speed games
Luke
Tractor rides
Boxing lessons
Courthouse scene
B&B stay
Maze scene
Bandage change
There was a butt spank say less.
The author researched and had an accurate representation of a cop say less.
A bodyguard trope say less.
A cozy fall vibe say less.
Meddling brother's say less.
This was such a fun read! Kicking off the Falling for Autumn series with a bang. The banter, the flirting, and the suspense was just so good.
Liv is a screen writer who has recently switched from writing suspense to all out romance, because of company change and scandal. She is also being stalked and has been holed up in survival mode by herself. Her cop brother steps in and has her relocated.
Tate is a cop on administrative leave because of an injury he accquired while on the job. He is tasked with guarding Liv while staying at his parents farm.
These two were a blast. I loved the slow burn, the reluctantcy, the banter, the flirting, and the way these two were with each other. There were a lot of tense moments and I loved how they leaned on each other. I loved the meddling family and the way they pushed Liv and Tate together. The farm doings were a blast; all the tractor rides, games of speed, and meals shared were beautiful. I love how Liv had to decide if she was going to be brave and stand and fight or cower and back down. I also love how Tate equipped her with tools to take care of it herself, but was always there to protect her. The ending was perfect and I can't wait to read the rest of this series!
Thank you Cindy for this arc. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Brother's best friend
Bodyguard
Forced proximity
Found family
Screen writer FMC
Cop MMC
Single POV
Favorite things:
Text messages between Will & Tate
Speed games
Luke
Tractor rides
Boxing lessons
Courthouse scene
B&B stay
Maze scene
Bandage change
Review of advance copy received from Author
A fall romance, written by Cindy Steel, that includes light suspense, a bodyguard, AND her brother’s best friend…. what could be better?! The Bodyguard’s Fall was such a delightful read. I’ve been looking forward to this book since it was announced and I wasn’t disappointed. I loved everything about it.
Cindy has a gift for writing delicious banter, and that definitely shines here. Tate and Liv never miss an opportunity to poke, tease, or get under the other’s skin. Their quips and comebacks had me grinning from ear to ear. Each kiss had me swooning. But the moments they were vulnerable with each other and hinted at their deeper feelings? I melted. I couldn’t get enough of them. I think I highlighted half the book.
The relationship dynamics in the story were some of my favorite parts. I loved the text messages between Tate and Liv’s brother, Will. Those messages gave us little glimpses into what Tate was thinking, which I was desperate for since this was single POV. The relationship between Tate and his brothers was hilarious but also completely endearing. The entire Walker family was so much fun. I loved the way they welcomed Liv right into the fold.
If you love small-town romances with tension, banter, light suspense, and some seriously swoony moments, add this one to your TBR!
Includes:
🧡 Cop Recovering From Injury
🧡 Crime Screenplay Writer Forced To Write Romance
🧡 An Obsessed Stalker
🧡 A Protective Bodyguard
🧡 Brother’s Best Friend
🧡 Forced Proximity
🧡 Cozy Vermont Farm
🧡 Sizzling Chemistry
🧡 Teasing Banter
🧡 Lovable Meddling Family
🧡 Only One Bed
🧡 Single POV
🧡 No Third Act Breakup
🧡 Closed Door
Favorites:
🍂Prologue from Tate’s POV
🍂Tate and Will’s text exchanges
🍂Tractor rides, backward ball cap, and forearms to write home about
🍂Tate insisting on opening her car door
🍂The Walker family dynamics and antics
🍂Self defense lessons
🍂”You are absolutely not my sister.”
🍂Meddling brothers and suspicious dances
🍂Tate reaching out to Liv’s friends
🍂He puts a nightlight in her room after she admits she’s scared of the dark
🍂Their gift from Tate’s family
🍂Nicknames
🍂The [redacted] line + “I get attached easily.”
🍂Bandage change
🍂 Flirty card game + Tate cleaning up the cake
🍂 Hay bale maze and HEA
Thank you Cindy for the gifted ARC! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Cindy has a gift for writing delicious banter, and that definitely shines here. Tate and Liv never miss an opportunity to poke, tease, or get under the other’s skin. Their quips and comebacks had me grinning from ear to ear. Each kiss had me swooning. But the moments they were vulnerable with each other and hinted at their deeper feelings? I melted. I couldn’t get enough of them. I think I highlighted half the book.
The relationship dynamics in the story were some of my favorite parts. I loved the text messages between Tate and Liv’s brother, Will. Those messages gave us little glimpses into what Tate was thinking, which I was desperate for since this was single POV. The relationship between Tate and his brothers was hilarious but also completely endearing. The entire Walker family was so much fun. I loved the way they welcomed Liv right into the fold.
If you love small-town romances with tension, banter, light suspense, and some seriously swoony moments, add this one to your TBR!
Includes:
🧡 Cop Recovering From Injury
🧡 Crime Screenplay Writer Forced To Write Romance
🧡 An Obsessed Stalker
🧡 A Protective Bodyguard
🧡 Brother’s Best Friend
🧡 Forced Proximity
🧡 Cozy Vermont Farm
🧡 Sizzling Chemistry
🧡 Teasing Banter
🧡 Lovable Meddling Family
🧡 Only One Bed
🧡 Single POV
🧡 No Third Act Breakup
🧡 Closed Door
Favorites:
🍂Prologue from Tate’s POV
🍂Tate and Will’s text exchanges
🍂Tractor rides, backward ball cap, and forearms to write home about
🍂Tate insisting on opening her car door
🍂The Walker family dynamics and antics
🍂Self defense lessons
🍂”You are absolutely not my sister.”
🍂Meddling brothers and suspicious dances
🍂Tate reaching out to Liv’s friends
🍂He puts a nightlight in her room after she admits she’s scared of the dark
🍂Their gift from Tate’s family
🍂Nicknames
🍂The [redacted] line + “I get attached easily.”
🍂Bandage change
🍂 Flirty card game + Tate cleaning up the cake
🍂 Hay bale maze and HEA
Thank you Cindy for the gifted ARC! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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